Some recipes never go out of style, and old-fashioned goulash is definitely one of them. It’s the kind of meal that brings back memories of family dinners, cozy evenings, and a big pot of homemade comfort food sitting in the middle of the kitchen table.
Tender elbow macaroni, savory ground beef, tomatoes, garlic, and Italian seasonings come together in a rich, flavorful sauce. Everything simmers in one pan, allowing the pasta to soak up all those delicious flavors. A little cheddar melts into the mixture, while mozzarella adds a creamy, cheesy finish just before serving.
What makes this recipe especially appealing is how simple it is. There’s no need for complicated techniques or expensive ingredients. Just everyday pantry staples, one large skillet, and a little time on the stove.
Whether you’re feeding a hungry family, preparing dinner after a busy day, or looking for a nostalgic meal everyone will enjoy, this old-fashioned American goulash deserves a place in your recipe collection.
Why You’ll Love This Old-Fashioned Goulash
There are plenty of reasons to keep this comforting dish on your regular dinner rotation.
- A complete one-pot meal: The beef, sauce, and macaroni cook together in one pan, making cleanup easier.
- Simple, everyday ingredients: Everything is easy to find at your local grocery store.
- Hearty and satisfying: Ground beef and pasta make this a filling dinner the whole family can enjoy.
- Rich tomato flavor: Tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, garlic, and seasonings create a delicious homemade sauce.
- Extra cheesy goodness: Cheddar and mozzarella bring two different textures and flavors to the finished dish.
- Great for leftovers: The flavors remain delicious the next day, making it a practical meal to prepare ahead.
Ingredients for Old-Fashioned Goulash
Here is everything you’ll need to make this easy, comforting dinner.
- 2 lbs ground beef or ground turkey
- 3 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 2½ cups water
- ½ cup beef broth
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 2 cans (15 oz each) tomato sauce
- 2 cans (15 oz each) diced tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon Adobo seasoning
- 3 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon seasoned salt
- ½ tablespoon black pepper
- 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
How to Make Old-Fashioned Goulash
1. Brown the ground beef
Start by heating a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
Add the ground beef and cook until it’s about halfway browned, breaking it into smaller pieces with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
Once partially cooked, remove the pan from the heat briefly. This gives you the opportunity to add the remaining ingredients without rushing the next step.
2. Add the onion and garlic
Add the minced garlic, diced yellow onion, and olive oil to the skillet with the beef.
Return the pan to the heat and continue cooking until the beef is completely browned and the onion begins to soften. Stir occasionally to prevent the garlic from burning.
If there’s an excessive amount of grease in the pan, carefully drain some before moving on.
3. Build the tomato sauce
Pour in the water and beef broth, followed by the tomato sauce and diced tomatoes.
Add the Italian seasoning, Adobo seasoning, bay leaves, seasoned salt, and black pepper.
Stir everything together until the beef and tomatoes are evenly distributed and the seasonings are well combined.
At this point, the kitchen will start to smell wonderful. The garlic, tomatoes, and herbs create the rich, familiar aroma that makes this kind of homemade dinner so inviting.
4. Let the sauce simmer
Reduce the heat to low and cover the skillet.
Let the mixture simmer for approximately 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. This gives the ingredients time to blend and allows the sauce to develop a deeper flavor.
Keep the heat low enough to maintain a gentle simmer rather than a rapid boil.
5. Add the elbow macaroni
Remove the lid and stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni.
Mix thoroughly so the pasta is distributed throughout the tomato and beef mixture. Make sure the macaroni is mostly covered by the liquid to help it cook evenly.
Cover the pan again and allow everything to simmer for approximately 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Keep an eye on the pasta as it cooks. If the mixture becomes too thick before the macaroni is tender, add a little hot water or beef broth as needed.
Cooking times can vary depending on the brand of pasta and the heat level, so check the macaroni for tenderness rather than relying only on the clock.
6. Remove the bay leaves and add cheddar
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